The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
The Rectory [a.k.a. Dowland Manor]    Mayfield Road  Rotherfield  

Books and other documents
PublishedTitle, author and references
1870A Compendious History of Sussex - Volume II. by Mark Antony Lower, M.A.p. 127
1928Rotherfield - The Story of some Wealden Manors by Catharine Pulleinp. 148; p. 149; p. 150; p. 153; p. 154; p. 163; p. 321; p. 334

Historical records

13th Nov 1259HistoryThe Rectory [a.k.a. Dowland Manor]Pullein's Rotherfield
Richard de Clare, Lord of Rotherfield, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, granted to the in-coming rector, John de Chishulle, to hold the same messuage, building and woods in Rotherfield that had been held of the Earl by the receding rector Henry de Reydon for life

17th Mar 1342HistoryThe Rectory [a.k.a. Dowland Manor]Pullein's Rotherfield
Extract from the Nonarum Inquisitions - "the rector of the Church hath a capital messuage with curtilage and four hundred acres of land and wood whereof the Church is endowed which are yearly worth 66s 8d"

before 1556HistoryThe Rectory is the Manor house of Dowlands ManorLower's Sussex
The Rectory is the Manor house of Dowlands Manor presented by Wm. Dowland, who several centuries ago endowed the Church with this Manor, the demesne of which was 366 acres. The glebe is now estimated at 110 acres.

16th Sep 1675HistoryThe Manor of Rotherfield rectory, called also Dewlands or DowlandsHorsfield's Sussex
The Manor of Rotherfield rectory, called also Dewlands or Dowlands
A perfect terrier of glebe [OED: a piece of land serving as part of a clergyman's benefice and providing income] land and of all estates and buildings belonging to the rectory of, and manor of the rectory of Rotherfield, within the diocese of Winchester [a mistake for Chichester according to Pullein], archdeaconry of Lewes, and deanery of Pevensey, taken the 16th day of September, 1675, and delivered up to the Right Rev. Father in God, Ralph Lord Bishop of Chichester, at his first visitation held at Lewes, Sept. 24th. an. 1675.
The manor house wherein the rectors had usually, and where the present rector, Mr Winter [Vinter], now resides, with a barn, stable, wood-house, and a malt-house thereto adjoining, which said manor called Dowland manor, was long since given to our church of Rotherfield by Mr. Wm. Dowland, together with all the royalties belonging to the said manor, and also three hundred and sixty-six acres and a half of his demesne land, which still belongs to the said rectory, and called now the glebe lands, and are situate and lying as followeth:-
  • There lies about the mansion or manor house of Rotherfield fifty four acres of glebe land, divided into ten several fields or inclosures. At Castle Wood, in the parish of Rotherfield, lies eighty acres of the glebe lands, being most part of it woodland
  • Great Henlies, in the parish of Frant, containing 162 acres of land, part of the glebe belonging to the rectory of Rotherfield
  • Little Henlies, in the parish of Frant, containing 68 acres of land, is also part of the glebe belonging to the rectory of Rotherfield. One cottage adjoining to the said Henlies, wherein the woodward or keeper of the rector's woods there dwells, is part of the glebe belonging to the rectory, and payeth £2 per annum to the rector of Rotherfield
  • ....[more entries with respect to Frant]......
  • There is a house at the east side of the church-yard of Rotherfield, with a garden adjoining, called by the name of the vicarage house, now in the tenure of Henry Headly, at the yearly rent of £30, which is part of the glebe belonging to our rectory
There are 25 copyhold tenements belonging to the manor of our rectory, all of which pay fine and heriot at death or alienation, with relief and other customs
The lord's rent payable yearly from the several copyholders is in the whole £2 0s 9d of quit rents.
Signed, George Vintner [Vinter], Rector of Rotherfield
John Hormsley, John Lockyer, Churchwardens

1785From the hill above the Rectory HouseFrom the hill above the Rectory House, Rotherfield by Samuel Grimm and James Lambert (The Burrell Collection)The Rectory [a.k.a. Dowland Manor]The Burrell Collection
Samuel Hieronymous Grimm (1733-1794), artist, was born in Switzerland, studied in Berne and Paris before moving to Covent Garden, London in 1768. Besides his work as a commercial engraver and watercolour painter he is best known for some 2,500 commissioned watercolurs of antiquities, historic buildings and landscapes in the British Library (MSS 15537-48). Throughout the 1780s he toured Sussex, sketching churches, monuments, castles, abbeys and houses of the gentry
James Lambert, senior, (1725-1788) and his nephew James Lambert, junior, (1744-1799) were both landscape painters living in Lewes, Sussex. Between them they produced over 600 items, ranging from pencil sketches to large oils.
William Burrell (1732-96), antiquary, was born in Leadenhall Street, London, educated at Westminster School and Cambridge University. He became Chancellor of Worcester and Rochester Dioceses, M.P. for Haslemere and a Commissioner of Excise. From 1780 he employed Samuel Grimm and the Lamberts to make drawings of all the notable antiquities and important houses in Sussex, which he bequeathed to the British Museum in his will.
for more information refer to Sussex Views by Walter H. Godfrey and L.F. Salzman and Sussex Depicted by John Farrant, both published by the Sussex Record Society.

1785Rotherfield Church from the Turnpike Gate at Mark CrossRotherfield Church from the Turnpike Gate at Mark Cross, watercolour (18.2 x 26.5 cm) painted by Samuel Hieronymus GrimmThe Rectory [a.k.a. Dowland Manor]© British Library Board - Shelfmark: Additional MS 5671, Item number: f. 23 (no. 38)

c 1795Rotherfield, Sussex - c 1795Part of the 1 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1795 by William Gardner and Thomas GreamParsonage

c 1825Rotherfield, Sussex - c 1825Part of the 1 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1825 by Christopher and John GreenwoodParsonage

6th Jun 1841CensusRobert Gream, M, Head, age 64; occupation RectorReverend Robert Gream, rector of RotherfieldRectory1841 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Maria Gream, F, [Wife], age 57Maria Gream
Helen Gream, F, [Daughter], age 27Helen Ommanney [Gream]
Nevell Gream, M, [Son], age 23Nevill Gream
Mary Gream, F, [Daughter], age 21Mary Anna Gream
Katherine Gream, F, [Daughter], age 19Katharine Anne Gream
Caroline Gream, F, [Daughter], age 17Caroline Dorcas Oddie [Gream]
Henrietta Gream, F, [Daughter], age 15Henrietta Antrobus [Gream]
Octavius Ommanney, M, age 23; occupation AgentOctavius Ommanney
Thomas Mackenzie, M, age 17; occupation: independentThomas Mackenzie
George Donovan, M, age 17; occupation: independentGeorge Donovan
Charles Hibbert, M, age 17; occupation: independentCharles Hibbert
Charles Moon, M, age 21, born Sussex; occupation: servantCharles Moon
ServantFrederick Blake
David Payne, M, age 28, born Sussex; occupation: servantDavid Payne
Eliza Knowles, F, age 27, born Sussex; occupation: servantEliza Knowles
Sarah Edwards, F, age 23, born Sussex; occupation: servantSarah Edwards
Hester Short, F, age 16, born Sussex; occupation ServantHester Short

1851Green, Rev. Robert; occupation: rector of RotherfieldReverend Robert Gream, rector of RotherfieldRectoryPost Office Directory

30th Mar 1851CensusHead, widowed; occupation: rector of RotherfieldReverend Robert Gream, rector of RotherfieldRectory1851 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
DaughterSarah Ann Gream
DaughterMary Anna Gream
DaughterKatharine Anne Gream
DaughterHenrietta Antrobus [Gream]
Grand-sonLewis George Gream
Servant; occupation FootmanThomas Winborn
Servant; occupation: housemaidFanny Brooman
Servant; occupation: servantElizabeth Cole
Servant; occupation HousemaidAnn Allcorn [Type]
Servant; occupation CookSarah Hoath [Bennett] [Type]

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; occupation: pauperJames Cole, farm labourerRectory Cottage1851 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
WifeKatherine Cole [Streeter]
Grandson; occupation: scholarObed Cole

7th Apr 1861CensusEdward Bligh, M, Head, married, age 32, born London, Middlesex; occupation: rector and farmer of 115 acres employing 2 men and 1 boyEdward Bligh, rector and farmerRectory1861 Census
Rotherfield and Crowborough, Sussex
Isabel Bligh, F, Wife, married, age 29, born Birling, KentIsabel Bligh
Lodowick Bligh, M, Son, age 6, born Dover, KentLodowick Bligh
Roalind Bligh, F, Daughter, age 3, born London, MiddlesexRoalind Bligh
Mary Ann Woodly, F, Servant, married, age 46, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: cook and housekeeperMary Ann Woodly
Jane Rowlands, F, Servant, single, age 38, born Shrewsbury, Shropshire; occupation: lady's maidJane Rowlands
Martha Wiles, F, Servant, single, age 35, born Speldhurst, Kent; occupation: housemaidMartha Wiles
Harriet Ashdown, F, Servant, single, age 22, born Leybourne, Kent; occupation: kitchenmaidHarriet Ashdown
Fanny Dobson, F, Servant, single, age 27, born West Malling, Kent; occupation: laundry maidFanny Dobson
Caroline Langridge, F, Servant, single, age 34, born Woolwich, Kent; occupation: nurseCaroline Langridge
Emma Collins, F, Servant, single, age 21, born Frant, Sussex; occupation: nurse maidEmma Collins
John Pilcher, M, Servant, single, age 22, born Minster, Kent; occupation: footmanJohn Pilcher
Samuel Wool, M, Servant, single, age 26, born Worplesdon, Surrey; occupation: coachmanSamuel Wool
George Owen, M, Servant, single, age 20, born Tunbridge, Kent; occupation: groomGeorge Owen

2nd Apr 1871CensusAlfred Child, M, Head, married, age 42, born Brighton, Sussex; occupation: rector of RotherfieldAlfred Child, rector of RotherfieldRectory1871 Census
Rotherfield and Crowborough, Sussex
Louisa C Child, F, Wife, married, age 36, born London, MiddlesexLouisa C. Child
Ella M Child, F, Daughter, age 8, born Cuddesdon, OxfordshireElla M. Child
Ivia B Child, F, Daughter, age 2, born Rotherfield, SussexIvia B. Child
Herbert A Child, M, Son, age 1, born Rotherfield, SussexHerbert A. Child
Jane R Johnson, F, Servant, single, age 30, born Westminster, Middlesex; occupation: nurseJane R. Johnson
Hannah Kember, F, Servant, single, age 16, born Hartfield, Sussex; occupation: under nurseHannah Kember
Charlotte Eyles, F, Servant, single, age 26, born Baulks Hill Chute, Wiltshire; occupation: cookCharlotte Eyles
Fanny Stallwood, F, Servant, single, age 24, born Shiplake, Oxfordshire; occupation: parlour maidFanny Stallwood
Sarah A Luxford, F, Servant, single, age 21; occupation: housemaidSarah A. Luxford

2nd Apr 1871CensusRobert G Hunt, M, Head, married, age 25, born Marnhull, Dorset; occupation: farm labourerRobert G. Hunt, farm labourerRectory Cottage1871 Census
Rotherfield and Crowborough, Sussex
Tabitha Hunt, F, Wife, married, age 24, born Hinton St Mary, DorsetTabitha Hunt
George A Hunt, M, Son, age 8m, born Rotherfield, SussexGeorge A. Hunt
Thomas Owen, M, Boarder, single, age 23, born Shenley, Hertfordshire; occupation: domestic groomThomas Owen

c 1875Catts Corner, Town Row, Horse Grove & Cottage Hill, Rotherfield - c 1875Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1875 by Ordnance SurveyRotherfield Rectory

3rd Apr 1881CensusRobert G. Penny, M, Head, married, age 43, born Lincolnshire; occupation Curate of RotherfieldRobert G. PennyRectory1881 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Elizabeth T. Penny, F, Wife, married, age 38, born WiltshireElizabeth T. Penny
Augusta Essen, F, Serv, single, age 19, born Germany; occupation: housemaidAugusta Essen

3rd Apr 1881CensusAlexander M. Bean, M, Head, married, age 46, born Scotland, occupation: gardenerAlexander M. Bean, gardenerRectory Cottage1881 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Maud Willy, F, Neice, age 14, born Middlesex; occupation ScholarMaud Willey
Maria Willey, F, Neice, age 12, born Middlesex; occupation ScholarMaria Willey

5th Apr 1891CensusFrederick Wildman Goodwyn, M, Head, married, age 41, born Calcutta, India; occupation: rector of RotherfieldFrederick Wildman Goodwyn, rector of RotherfieldThe Rectory1891 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Ethel Zoe Goodwyn, F, Wife, married, age 34, born Oxford, OxfordshireEthel Zoe Goodwyn [Thompson]
Zoe Eleanor Goodwyn, F, Daughter, age 3, born Bishopthorpe, YorkshireZoe Eleanor Goodwyn
Dorothy Zoe Goodwyn, F, Daughter, age 3 months, born Rotherfield, SussexDorothy Zoe Goodwyn
Betsy Ann Leak, F, Servant, single, age 36, born New Leake, Lincolnshire; occupation: nurseBetsy Ann Leak
Ada Harriet Heathcote, F, Servant, single, age 28, born Sheffield, Yorkshire; occupation: cookAda Harriet Heathcote
Annie Barnes, F, Servant, single, age 24, born Barnsley, Yorkshire; occupation: house parlourmaidAnnie Barnes
Dinah Foord, F, Servant, single, age 18, born Benenden, Kent; occupation: housemaidDinah Foord
Elizabeth Curtis Sitch, F, Servant, single, age 15, born Ingatestone, Essex; occupation: nurserymaidElizabeth Curtis Sitch

5th Apr 1891CensusThomas Oram, M, Head, married, age 36, born Ditchling, Sussex; occupation GardenerThomas Oram, gardenerThe Rectory Cottage1891 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Olive Oram, F, Wife, married, age 38, born Maresfield, SussexOlive Oram [Fox]
Thomas Henry Oram, M, Son, age 10, born Ditchling, Sussex; occupation ScholarThomas Henry Oram
George Frederick Oram, M, Son, age 7, born Maresfield, Sussex; occupation ScholarGeorge Frederick Oram
William Edward Oram, M, Son, age 3, born Rotherfield, SussexWilliam Edward Oram

c 1899Cottage Hill, Rotherfield - c 1899Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1899 by Ordnance SurveyRectory

1904The RectoryThe Rectory, RotherfieldPrivate collection

2nd Apr 1911CensusFrancis Weldon Champneys, M, Head, married 14 years, age 55, born Wendover, Berkshire; occupation: clerk in holy ordersFrancis Weldon Champneys, clerk in holy ordersRotherfield Rectory, Rotherfield1911 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Edith Champneys, F, Wife, married, age 47, born Blackheath, Kent; occupation: helper in workEdith Champneys
Lucy Parker, F, Servant, Single, age 29, born Mayfield, Sussex; occupation: cookLucy Parker
Fanny Ellen Billings, F, Servant, single, age 21, born Cliffe-At-Hoo, Kent; occupation: parlourmaidFanny Ellen Billings
Alice Eliza Billings, F, Servant, single, age 16, born Cliffe-At-Hoo, Kent; occupation: house maidAlice Eliza Billings

2nd Apr 1911CensusGeorge Scrase, M, Head, married 40 years, age 60, born Chailey, Sussex; occupation: gardenerGeorge Scrase, gardenerRectory Cottage, Rotherfield1911 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Hannah Scrase, F, Wife, married, age 62, born Buxted, SussexHannah Scrase
George Scrase, M, Son, single, age 38, born Framfield, Sussex; occupation: labourer on farmGeorge Scrase
William Walter Scrase, M, Son, single, age 19, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: carter generalWilliam Walter Scrase
William Arthur Harman, M, Boarder, single, age 16, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: house ladWilliam Arthur Harman

1928Dewland Manor in 1675Dewland Manor in 1675 by Catherine PulleinRectoryPullein's Rotherfield

2001TodayThe Rectory

The Weald is at  Database version 14.05 which has ongoing updates to the 395,000 people; 9,000 places; 613 maps; 3,308 pictures, engravings and photographs; and 248 books loaded in the previous version

ODNB  
British Libarary  
High Weald  
Sussex Record Society  
Sussex Archaeological Society  
Kent Archaeological Society  
Mid Kent Marriages  
Ancestry  
Genes Reunited  
International Genealogical Index  
National Archives  

Top
of the
page